Need to douse teacher in river (6)

I believe the answer is:

desire

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'need' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Strong need ' mean 'desire' so perhaps 'need' could also mean 'desire')

'teacher in river' is the wordplay.
'teacher' becomes 'sir' (way of addressing a male teacher).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'river' becomes 'Dee' (River Dee).
'sir' going inside 'dee' is 'DESIRE'.

'to douse' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for desire that I've seen before include "Concupiscence" , "Covet" , "Strong wish" , "Strong need" , "Hanker after" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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